[DeTomaso] water pump recommendations

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

I use the Weiand 8209 aluminum pump. It weighs about half of a stock iron 
pump. It has a less efficient pump impeller than the curved-impeller Boss 302 
unit, and has no backing plate. Adding a backing plate to the pump did absolutely 
nothing toward lowering engine temps. But the pump has lasted 20 years on our 
car, thru two engines and 50,000 miles. I lost a stock iron unit in 20,000 
miles. High volume pumps likely have such a backing plate, which theoretically 
increases efficiency. On the Weiand anyway, it did nothing visible.   The 
Weiand has one weak spot: there are two heater-hose bosses on the pump body, and 
the upper one (which cannot be used due to the alternator being too close to it) 
is thin and will crack if a fitting is overtightened in it.
The famous Boss 302 pump as sold since the '80s by Ford is a cast iron 
impeller that gets pressed into other housings that it wasn't designed for & may not 
fit very well. Two members lost such assembled pumps at the open track in 
'Vegas this year. The Weiand also has no warm-up bypass passage for quick 
warm-ups while the Mildon does. Not sure of the others. 
Good luck- J Deryke



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